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MACHINE FORPEEDING SHEETS OF PAPER.

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No. 531,438. Patented Dec. 25, 1894.

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MACHINE FOR FEEDING SHEETS OF PAPER.

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L UNITE-D PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HENRY K WLES, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE FORFFEEDING SHEETS OF PAPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 531,438, dated December Application filed April 5, 1894.

To all whom it may concern: r

. Beit known that I, JOHN HENRY KNOWLES, of the city and county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Mechanismfor Feeding Sheets of Paper, 850., of which the following is a speciby which they may be delivered to the machine to be fed; but the mechanism may, if

desired, be embodied in and become a part of the machine which receives and acts upon the separately fed sheets, such asa print-- ing press,folding, ruling,or lithographing ma: chine. V I I v Wliile I have shown and described mymachine as specially designed for separating and feeding rectangularsheets, it may, with proper modification, be used for sheets or blanks of diamond or irregular shape.

My invention embraces improvements in the devices for holding the sheets in apack or pile. These improved holding devices are design ed to facilitate the separation and withdrawal of thesheets from the pile and; also to permit the pile or pack to be easily replenished when occasion requires without stopping the machine. My improvements in the holding devices also include features of adjustability whereby the holder may be adj usted to sheets of diflerent widths.

My invention also embraces improvements in the devices for separating sheets from the others in the pack or pile and for withdrawing the sheets when so separated.

It also includes certain pneumatic devices employed in connection therewith.

My invention further includes improvements in the driving devices for operating the various parts of the machine and the employment of features of adj ustmentin connection therewith, whereby the relative speeds of 7 different portions of the mechanism may be so adjusted that the successive sheets may be fed close together, or at any predetermined distance apart, or with their edges overlap ping, and also that the machine may be easily adapted to suit sheets of difierent lengths.

My inventionincludes devices for accomplishing the overlapping of the sheets, when the same is desired, anda stop motion con' trolled by the sheets which are being fed, so that whenever there is any interruption or irregularity in the feeding of the sheets, the stop motion is actuated and the mechanism is brought to a state of rest. V

In addition to these improvements my invention includes many other features of construction and combinations of parts, all of which are fully set forth hereinafter.

. In providing my machine with features of adjustment whereby it may be adjusted to suit different sizes of sheets, orto vary the be performed without material delay.

The adjustment of the machine for sheets of difierent widthsmay be accomplished by the simple turning of a pair of hand wheels which has the effect, not only of changing the width -of the holder to suit the width of the sheets, but also of correspondingly adjusting the separating and the withdrawing devices. The adjustment of the driving devices to adapt the machine to a change in the length of the sheets, or to alter the spacing or overlapping may be accomplished by the turning of a single hand wheel and the adjustment of a small driving belt. While these features of adjustment are an important portion of my invention, they may be omitted in some classes of machines where variation in the sizes of the sheets does not occur, and my improve,

ments, aside from those relating to. the features of adjustment, are as well adapted to a one dimension machine as to a machine adapted for different sizes of sheets.

I shall now refer to theaccompanying drawings for the purpose of more particularly describing my invention.

. Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine for feedingsheets of paper, 850. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the opposite side of the machine. .Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machine. 'Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the IOC same with a portion of the frame work broken away. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view on the line 12 of Fig. 3. Fig.6 is a similar view on an enlarged scale in the line 3-4E of Fig. 3, omitting the lower portions of the machine. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the suction separator. Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a portion of the machine with the withdrawing devices removed to expose the separating mechanism. Fig. 9 is a detail side elevation of the cam actuated lever devices for operating the suction controlling valves, which operate the suction separating devices. Fig. 10 is a plan view of a portion of the same. Fig. 11 is a detail front elevation with part in section of the sheet withdrawing disks and their shaft. Fig. 12 is a similar view of the same showing the disks adjusted for narrow sheets. Fig. 13 is a plan view of the machine with portions of the front of the sheet holder broken away. Figs. 14 and 15 are respectively a top plan and horizotal sectional view of one of the suction controlling valves. Figs. 16 and 17 are vertical sectional views of the valve on the line 5-6 of Fig. 14, showing the valve in its two positions. Fig. 18 is an enlarged detail view of the sheet separating devices. Fig. 19 is an end elevation on an enlarged scale of the driving devices for operating the cam shaft. Fig. 20 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 21 is an end elevation of a portion of the same looking in the opposite direction from Fig. 19. Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the devices shown in Fig. 21 with part in section. Fig. 23 is an end elevation of the driving end of the shaft that supports the withdrawing disks and of the driving parts thereon, the collar J being broken away to expose parts which lie beyond the collar. Fig. 24 is a detail view in vertical section of one of the pneumatic nozzle rocking devices. Fig. 25 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 5 of a portion of the machine showing a modification of the withdrawing devices. Fig. 26 is a simi lar view of parts shown in Fig. 25 but in a different position.

For the purpose of enabling the detailed construction of the machine to be easily understood, I shall refer to the different portions separately.

The frame of the machine-A are the side frames connected together by suitable girts or braces A, A and provided with bealings for the various shafts. The upper girt A is provided with extensions A, A to form ways or supports for the sheet holding and su pportiu g devices, and maybe arranged upon an inclination so as to support the said devices in an inclined position. The extension A does not extend entirely across the machine but is cut away or shortened at the ends to admit certain devices hereinafter described.

A Fig. 2, is a plate of directions that may be secured to the frame 'work as upon one of the side frames A.

The sheet holding and supporting deviccs.- These devices are designed to hold a series of sheets on edge, preferably in a position inclined slightly forward and to permit the sheets to be successively withdrawn from the front of the pack by the separating and withdrawing devices. In the drawings I have shown the preferable construction of these sheet holding devices; but it will be readily understood that these devices may be modified and varied in construction without in any way affecting the other portions of my invention.

B, O are respectively left and right hand base pieces provided on their lower faces with guides B, B and C, 0 adapted to rest on the ways A A and to permit the pieces to be moved laterallyto and from one another independently on the said ways B, 0 when desired for purpose of adjustment. The rear guides B, C are provided with lips 13, which overhang the edge of the ways A to retain the base pieces B and C in position vcr tically.

13 C are side cheeks carried by the base pieces 13, C respectively and forming the supports for the sides of the sheets.

B C are slightly upturned lips along the lower edge of the pieces B, C, forming a slight obstruction to the passage of the lower edge of a sheet from the base pieces of the holder.

13, are small lugs or projections extending inwardly from the front of the side checks a slight distance above the lips 13", C, on the base pieces B, C, forming slight obstructions to the passage from the holder of the sides of the sheet near its lower edge.

B C areinternall y threaded tubular bosses carried on the bottoms of the base pieces B, C, respectively. These threaded bosses respectively receive screws B G which are journaled in suitable bearings B", C", in the side frames A, and are provided on their ends with hand-wheels B (3 The screws B 0 may be held against longitudinal movement in their bearings by collars B, C, and by the hubs of the hand wheels. It is apparent that by turning either screw 13, or the corresponding base B, or O, with its side check will be moved laterally. It will thus be observed, that these parts are laterally adjustable independently and may be moved into any position desired. In this way the holder may be made wide or narrow to suit the width of the sheets to be held and the central line of the sheets may be brought into any position with regard to the central line of the machine.

The front of the holder may consist of any suitable support arranged at the proper inclination to the base pieces 13, (J, with its lower edge sufficiently distant from the front edge of the base pieces B, O, to permit the sheets to be separated from the pack and removed.

In the drawings I have shown the front of the holder inclining forward and arranged at an acute angle to the plane of the base ICQ IIO

pieces, as I consider this the best manner in which to support the sheets, but this arrange ment may of course be varied.

Iprefer to construct thefront of theholder in the manner shown on the drawings. As

shown it consists of alternately arranged slats D and idler rollers D, with the periph-v eries of the rollers projecting slightly beyond I the faces of the slats so as to act upon the merely act to assist the withdrawing devices in removing the foremost sheet from the holder by reducing the friction that would exist between the front of the holder and the sheet. The slats arranged between the rollers act to keep the paper smooth and flat and .to prevent a sheet buckling between any pair of rollers by the pressure of the superimposed sheets of the pack. The slats'are therefore separately arranged with their faces as near the tangential plane to the peripheries of the rollers as ispossible without interfering with the action of the rollers. When sheets of heavy paper are to be fed, however, the slats may be omitted as such paper is not liable to bend or buckle. In this case the rollers may be arranged closer together.

To prevent the forward sheets shifting laterally into the crack or space between the front of the holder and the front edges of the side cheeks B C the cheeks may be provided with tongues B C projecting forward into grooves D in' the front of the holder, as into some of the slats D To hold the pack of sheets into place with the foremost sheet in contact with the front of the holder, I prefer to employ followers E,

1 E, resting on the base pieces B, C. These folthe base pieces.

lowers E, E, may be provided on their lower faces with tongues E adapted to the grooves B and C in the upper faces of thetpieces B, and C, respectively, and acting to guide the followers as they gravitate downward upon As shown in the drawings the followers E, are constructed of metal base pieces turned upward at their front edges, and supportingupwardly extending pieces E base pieces E and triangular brace pieces E between the pieces E and E the pieces E E and E being preferably constructed of wood.

While I have shown two separate followers, E, E,v one carried by each member .of the holder, it is apparent that a single follower may be employed if desired, but I prefer to employ two separate followers as shown, because the followers being carried by the base pieces B, G, will be adjusted with those pieces, and, therefore-need not be changed for different sizes of sheets. I have shown followers of considerable height, suitable for long sheets. If desired shorter followers maybe employed for shorter sheets.

The followers are not absolutely necessary for the purpose of properly supporting and feeding the sheets, and, if the holder be kept sufficiently full so that the weight of the sheets alone will be sufficient to press the pack forward, they may be omitted. I prefer to use them, however, as theywill permit a greater number of sheets to be withdrawn bereplenished while there remain sufficient sheets to press the front sheets forward so that the separating and withdrawing devices may operate upon them, this may be done without stopping the operation of themachine.

The sheet separating mechanism-This mechanism consists of devices for separating the foremost sheet of the packfrom the others and for withdrawing from the holder the sheet thus separated. For this purpose of separating the sheet, I employ a suctionrnozzle adapted to lift a corneror flap of the foremost sheet, and a separating blade adapted to pass under the corner or flap, thus raised and thence along the edge of the.sheet and separate it from the other sheets ofthe pack. In describing this apparatus, I shall refer more particularly to Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 18.

F is a hollow suction nozzle pivoted to'one of the sides of the holder, as to the base piece 0, and adapted to oscillate upon its pivot to and from the corner or edge of the foremost sheet of the pack. This suction nozzle is preferably of the construction shown in Fig. 7. The nozzle F is provided with a lateral arm F which extends in front of the sheet holder and is formed with the suction mouth F The nozzle is so located that the mouth F is in front of the lower corner of the foremost sheet on the holder. The mouth F of the nozzle may be dished out to form a small edge or rim about the orifice.

. F is a hollow extension to the nozzle adapted for attachment to the end of a flexible tube or pipe F which leads to the source of suction. The nozzle may be pivoted to the base 0 by means of boss E, which receives a stud F carried by a stud plate F secured to the base piece 0. The nozzle F is thus free to oscillate on the studF to move its suction mouth F to and from the sheet holder. As the suction nozzle F is carried by the base piece 0, it is apparent that it moves with the said base piecewhenever the same is adjusted, and thus willalways be in proper position to IIO act upon the corner of the foremost sheet contained in the holder. The pivot stud F of the nozzle should be located as nearly as possible in line with the foremost sheet in the holder, in order to give themouth of the suction nozzle such a motion as will bend up the corner of the foremost sheet without drawing the sheet downward.

To oscillate the nozzle F, suitable power devices may be employed connected with the nozzle, as through ears F thereon. For this purpose I prefer to employ a pneumatic device to which I shall refer more fully hereinafter.

Suction is created intermittently in the nozzle F by means of suitable suction devices, which are hereinafter fully described. When the nozzle F is rocked so that its suction mouth F is brought in contact with the lower corner of the foremost sheet in the holder, suction is created in the nozzle and is maintained therein while the nozzle rocks back, carrying with it the corner or flap of the foremost sheet which adheres to its suction mouth and is therefore separated from the other sheets in the pack. The separating blade H then passes under the raised flap and the suction in the nozzle F is relieved, so that the flap or corner of the sheet is released.

I shall now refer to the separating blade 11*, and its method of operation.

11 is a shaft journaled below the sheet holder in suitable bearings H carried by the side frames A. Carried by the shaft H are two or more rocker arms I1 11 is the separator blade carried on the outer ends of the rocker arms I1 In the drawings I have shown the rocker arms ll connected by a tie piece ll, fastened to cars 11, on the ends of the arms H and the blade H carried by the tie piece II". The blade II is provided with an inclined upper edge the higher portion of which is at the end adjacent to the separating nozzle F. The blade H is so located that it occupies a normal position with its edge below the front edge of the sheet holder. \Vhen the blade 11 rises, its edge passes above the lower edge of the sheet holder and immediately behind the suction nozzle F, so that its inclined edge passes first under the flap or corner of the foremost sheet which has been lifted by the nozzle. As the edge of the blade ll is inclined with the higher portion at the end adjacent to the separating nozzle F, it is apparent that this edge of the blade must pass under the raised flap or corner, whatever may be the adjustment of the holder. As the blade H continues to rise its edge passes gradually under the edge of the sheet and thus separates it positively from the other sheets of the pack.

The rocking of the arms H to impart the rising and falling movement to the separator blade, may be imparted in any suitable manner. For this purpose I have shown cams V carried on a cam shaft V, and acting on the rocking arms H through friction rollers H journaled in cars or extensions H of the arms H More or less difficulty is experienced in practice in lifting the edge or flap of the single foremost sheet by reason of the tendency of two or more sheets to adhere at the edges so that two or even more sheets maybe lifted simultaneously by the suction nozzle F. For the purpose of obviating this difliculty,I prefer to construct the sheet holder with its bottom at an acute angle to the front support, and also to employ the upturned lip 0 at the edge of the base of the holder and the clip or projection O, on the side of the holder, as has been stated.

The eifect of arranging the base of the holder at an acute angle to the front support, is to slightly offset each sheet with reference to the next, and this will naturally tend to separate the sheets at their edges.

The object of the lip C and the projection C is to scrape the edges of the paper as it is lifted by the suction nozzle, and thereby cause the sheets to separate it two adhere together. The inner side of the lip 0 may be slightly inclined and may be cut away on either side of the portion over which the mouth of the suction nozzle swings so as to admit the passage of air under the corner or flap of the sheet when it first commences to rise under the action of the nozzle. The face of the mouth of the nozzle may be slightly inclined or beveled, so that it will not make perfect contact with the face of the paper but will rest with the upper portion of its rim in contaet while the lower portion is slightly removed as is shown in Fig. 18. It results from this that the suction through the nozzle will cause the paper to bend or pueker slightly as it is drawn against the mouth of the nozzle before the nozzle commences its outward movement; and this will have a further tendency to separate the sheets.

With the construction described the lifting of the edge of the single foremost sheet may safely be relied upon under ordinary conditions,but there are circumstances under which these devices would be insufficient. Thus if the corner of the foremost sheet were torn off, so that the suction nozzle came in contact with the corner of the second sheet, two sheets would of necessity be lifted. To further insure the positive separation of a single sheet at a time, even under the rare condition just suggested, I employ an auxiliary or assistant separating device,which is in all material respects a duplicate of the primary device described except that it is arranged to act upon the other end or corner of the sheet, so that it will be necessary, in order that two sheets may be carried simultaneously from the holder, for these two independent separating devices to act defectively at the same instant. Thus if the single separating device would operate to lift two sheets simultaneously once in a thousand times, with theauxiliaryorassistantseparator,that would be liable to occur only once ina million times.

G is the suction nozzle of the assistant separator pivoted to the opposite side of the sheet holder, as to the base piece B, and constructed alndFoperated in the same manner as the nozz e 1 is the assistant separator blade, having an inclined edge, similar to the edge of the blade H except that its'inclination is in the opposite direction. This blade I may be carried by a tie piece 1 fastened to ears I on the ends of rocker arms I carried by the shaft H. The rocker armsl may be rocked in a manner similar to the arms H as by cams V on the shaft V, and the arms may be provided with anti-friction rollers I journaled in extension 1 and making contact with the cams V s r The assistant or auxiliary separator blade 1- is located behind the blade H so that its line or arc of movement is nearer the edge of the sheet holder than that of the blade H"; and the two blades are so timed in their movements that they will not in any way interfere one with the other.

The lip B and clip B on the side of the holder by which the assistant separator nozzle G is carried, correspond with the similar parts O 0 already described and perform similar functions.

The two nozzles F and G operate simultaneously; but with the construction shown the separator blade 1 acts immediately in advance of the blade H Therefore if both nozzles lift the corner or flap of the same sheet both blades will pass under the edge of the same sheet. This will be the normal operation. If however, the nozzle F should for any reason, lift two sheets, the nozzle G'lifting one, the blade I would pass under the lifted edge of the single sheet lifted by the nozzle G and, as its inclined edge traveled from G to F under that sheet, it would entirely separate it from the other sheet so that only the single sheet would be fed. If, on the other hand, the nozzle F should lift a single sheet and the nozzle G should lift two, the blade 1 passing under the two sheets would separate them both from the other sheets in the pack, but the blade H passing under the edge of the single sheet lifted by the nozzle F, would separate the two sheets one from the other. Thusit will be seen that with the auxiliary or assistant separator a failure to separate a single sheet'from the others in the pack can occur only when both nozzles F and G simultaneously lift the corners of two sheets.

l is a lip on the outer-side of the blade I", which acts to support the edge of any sheet which may come between the two blades, as

\ would occur in the last case mentioned, 2'. e.,

when the nozzle F lifted one sheet and the nozzle G lifted two. In this case the outer sheet is separated by the blade H", and is cartion of the nozzles Fand G, it is lifted by them and the separator blade H passe-s under it.

The auxiliary or assistant separating nozzle and blade may be omited'in a machine to feed exclusively such sheets as do not tend to adhere one to another.

I shall now describe the withdrawing devices, by which the separated sheet is fully withdrawn. from the holder,'referring more particularly to Figs. 3, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13.

The'withdrawing mechanism-J is a shaft .supported in suitable bearings J in the side frames A, and located below the front of the sheet holder and opposite to the nozzles F, G. 7 J J", J, are disks mounted on the shaft J, and may be provided with rubber facings or tires J These disks J J J rotate with the shaft J, and are so located that the outer face of the separator blade H when the same is raised, will make contact with them, thus pressing the edge of the separated sheet'of paper which has been released by the suction nozzle or nozzles, against the rotating disks J J", J and the disks, acting on the paper against the surface of the blade H will withdraw the sheet from the holder. To insure the proper pressure between the disks J J J and the surface of the blade H the shaft J which carries the disks may be journaled in spring pressed bearings.

In the drawings I have shown the bearings J carried in horizontal guideways and acted upon by springs J retained by binding caps J The shaft J may be held against longitudinal movement by collars J It is apparent that when theholding devicesare adjusted to contain sheets of different sizes a corresponding adjustment of the withdrawing devices J J, J, is necessary. For this purpose I prefer to employ the construction shown, in which the Withdrawing disks are adj nsted by the adj ustment of theholder.

The disks J J, are free. to move longitudinally on the shaft J, while revolving with it. For this purpose the hubs J of the disks may be keyedto the shaft by keys J fitting a longitudinal key way J in the shaft.

, J, J, are coil springs surrounding the shaft and interposed between the outer disks J J and the intermediate disk J and adapted to press the disks apart.

J J are sleeves on the shaft J, at each end exterior to the disks J J and adapted to bear against them. These sleeves J J, are movable longitudinally upon the shaft J and constitute adjusting sleeves, as by them the disks J J J are adjusted. These sleeves JP J are cut away or recessed, as at J so as not to obstruct the movement of the suction nozzles which must obviously have a movement sufficient to permit the paper when released by them to touch the peripheries of the disks J J J J, J are recesses in the top of the adj ust ing sleeve J J which receive the toe pieces F, G, carried by the respective members of the sheet holder, as by the side cheeks B", C It is obvious that whenever either member of the sheet holder is moved the sleeves J J will be correspondingly moved through the pieces F", G and these sleeves acting in conjunction with the springs J J, on the disks J J will move them correspondingly. As the intermediate disk J is free to slide upon the shaft J, and is acted upon by the springs J J, on either side, it is apparent that the pressure of the springs on each side will always become equalized, thus causing the intermediate disk J to always assume a position midway between the two outer disks J whether the sheets are being fed on the center line of the machine or on either side thereof. When either sleeve J is moved outwardly the springs J J move the adjacent disk J outwardly to a corresponding extent; but, whatever the movement may be, the disk J 5 will always come to a substantially central position between the two outer disks J J Instead of the compound springs J J shown, a single spring of suitable tension may be employed. In Fig. 11 the disks are shown in the positions they would ordinarily occupy in feeding wide sheets, while in Fig. 12 they are shown adjusted for narrow sheets.

To hold the sleeves J from turning on the shaft J, and by so turning interfering with the action of the suction nozzles the toe pieces F, G", may be provided with projections F G respectively adapted to sockets in the top of the sleeves. (See Fig. 18.) These projections and sockets may be rounded so as to not interfere with the slight longitudinal movement that may be imparted to the shaft J, by the springs J.

The shaft J may be driven in any suitable manner, as by a gear .1. I prefer, however, to impart to the shaft J, at first a yielding movement, and to gradually increase that movement up to the full driving'speed, so that at the moment the disks J J J impinge upon the sheet they will have a low speed of rotation and there will be no liability to tear or strain the paper. For this purpose, I mount the driving gear J loosely upon the shaft J and connect it with the shaft by a spring J In Fig. 11 I have shown this construction, with the spring J secured at one end to the hub J or to the web J of the gear J and at the "other end to a collar J 2 fast on the shaft J.

J is a key carried by the shaft J, and ex tending into the hub J which is partly cut away or recessed, as for a quarter of its circumference, so that the gear wheel, may drive the shaft J, solely through the spring J until the end of the recessed or cut away portion of its bearing is reached, when it will act through the key J to positively drive the shaft J. This construction is clearly shown in Fig. 23 where J is the recess for the key in the hub J When the resistance to turning of the shaft J created by the frictional action of the frictional disks .1, J, J on that shaft has become sufiicient to overcome the tension of the spring J to such an extent that the gear J has moved around the shaft until the side bearing J of the recess J of the hub of the gear has come to a bearing on the key J then the shaft and the disks carried by it will be positively driven.

In Fig. 11 the outer rim of the gear J is shown broken away exposing the hub and a part of the web of the gear.

K L are feeding rollers carried on suitable shafts K, L, and located below the disks J J J The feeding rollers K L, are adapted to receive the sheets as they are partially withdrawn from the holder by the disks J J J and carry them down and feed them to the carrier or other devices. These feeding rollers may be provided with tires K L of rubber or other suitable adhesive material. The shaft of one of the sets of rollers, as L, may be journaled in spring pressed bearings L, acted upon by springs L and retained by suitable caps. By this means the rollers K and L may be pressed in frictional contact with yielding pressure. One of the shafts of these feeding rollers as K, may be driven by a gear K and the other may be driven by the friction upon its rollers L Collars K L secure the shafts laterally.

M is a guide located between the disks J, J J and the feeding rollers K If, supported by brackets M on the side frames A.

t M is a second guide adjacent to the feeding rollers for guiding the sheets from the feeding rollers to the devices, such as the conveyer or the carrier, which are to receive them. The guide M is shown supported at its ends by brackets Mien the side frames A. The guides M and M may be made of sheet metal and may be slightly curved to direct the edge of the paper.

I have described the holding devices and the separating and withdrawing mechanism as adapted for adjustment to suit varied sizes of sheets, but in cases where the machine is to be used upon sheets of a constant size, these features of adjustment may be omitted.

I shall now describe the carrying mechanism which I have shown for the purpose of carrying the separated and withdrawn sheets to such mechanism as may be employed to act upon them, 6. g. printing presses, ruling machines, &c., referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 13.

The carrying devices and the overlapping mechanism: N and N are rollers having their shafts N N journaled in suitable bearings N in the side frames A, over which passes a series of endless bands or cords N forming an endless carrier arranged in position to receive the sheets from the feeding rollers L K The shaft of one of the rollers, as N, may be driven by a gear wheel N", carried by it and the other roller N may be driven the friction of the cords or bands N N are collars. to prevent eudwise movementof the rollers.

As it is desirable in some cases to have the sheets overlap one another for a greater or less distance, as in ruling machines, I have provided devices for producing this overlapping, and these I will now describe.

O are a series of disks held, as by screwed hubs upon a'shaft O,located between the shafts N and N so that the peripheries of the disk 0 will project slightly above the plane of the carrier N and each disk is preferably located in a central position between a pair of bands or cords. The shaft 0 which carries these disks Of, is supported in vertically adjustable bearings O, which are shown attached to brackets 0 carried by the frames A, and adjustable horizontally thereon.

O are set collars to maintain the lateral position of the shaft 0. The shaft 0 is driven in any suitable manner, preferably from the shat't'N, by means of a belt 0 passing about pulleys 0 0 fast on the shafts O, and N respectively. To maintain the tension on the belt or cord 0, when the shaft 0 is adjusted, I prefer to pass the belt 0 about an idler 0 on the shaft N and thence around an idler O journaled on a bracket 0 carried by one of the brackets 0 As the pul-' ley O is moved with any adjustment of the shaft O,a substantially uniform driving ten-, sion is maintainedon the belt 0 For the purpose of causing the successive sheets to overlap, the carrier N is driven at a slower speed than the sheet withdrawing devices so that the front edge of each sheet is pushed forward by the withdrawing de vices upon the carrier faster than therear edge of the previous sheet is removed. The

front edge of each sheet is thus laid over therear edge of the preceding sheet. It will sometimes happen, however, that the front edge may catch against the rear edge of the previous sheet or may slip under it, and it is to correct this defect that I employ the overlapping disks 0 These disks are so arranged that as the sheets are carried along by the conveyer they will pass over the slightly projecting peripheries of the disks 0, and at the moment the rearmost edgeof any sheet passes from the disk and drops upon the bands N from the slightly elevated position to which it has been raised by the disks, the front edge of the next sheet will be carried over the disks and will thus be caused to overlap the edge of the preceding sheet. The shaft 0, should therefore be adjusted longitudinally so as to bring the disks 0 into position to act upon the sheet. atthe moment the overlapping will take place. In Fig. 5, the full lined circle 0, shows the position of the disks when adjusted foroverlapping long sheets, and the dotted circle 0 the position of the disks when adjusted for overlapping any time be thrown out of action.

is to be used in cases where overlapping of the sheets is not desired, the overlapping disks 0 may be omitted; I prefer, however, to employ them on the machine with provision for adjustment whereby they may at For this purpose I prefer to make the bearings O of the shaft' 0, capable of vertical adjustment in the brackets 0 so that by lowering the shaft 0, the peripheries of the disks 0, may be brought below the plane of the carrier N.

By the driving connections hereinafter described the relative speeds of the withdrawing and feeding devices and of the carriers may be regulated so that any desired extent or degree of overlapping may be obtained.

Instead of disks 0 the overlapping of the sheets may be accomplished by projections or fingers extending above the'plane of the carrier, the efiect of the devices being substantially the same except that in the case of the disks their rotation assists in carrying the sheets and there is no liability of retardation. r i

I shall now refer to the pneumatic devices, which I employ for the purpose of creating intermittent suction in the separating nozzles, and also for the purpose of oscillating them, referring more particularly to Figs. 2, 4, 6, 9, 10,14,15, 16, 17, 1s and 24..

The pneumatic dem'ces.-- 1 is a suction pump in which suction is created by the usual valved piston operated by a piston rod driven in any suitable manner, as by the pitman W operated by a crank W, on a shaft W. Q is a vacuum chamber from which the vacuum pump P sucks.

The chamber Q may be suitably supported by the frame A, and should be of substantial size, so that a continuous anduniform' partial vacuum may be retained within it by the suction of the pump P. The chamber Q, may be provided with a relief valve Q The casing of the pump P maybe screwed into or secured to the walls of the chamber Q in such a manner that the sucking orifice of the pump shall communicate directly with the cavity of the chamber. By this arrangement no pipe or connections are required between the sucking orifice of the pump and the chamber, and all leakage and consequent destruction of vacuum incident to such connections is avoided. (See dotted lines in Fig. 2.) This chamber is connected with thesuction nozzles F, and G, by suitable pipes Q in which are located valves to control the suction. The suction pipe or tube Q leading from the chamber Q, is connected by a branch pipe or tube U with a valve U, supported uponthe rear of the frame work of ,the machine. In the drawings I have shown the valve carried by a plate T The valve U is also connected through a tube or T U with the tubes F and G which lead to the nozzles F, and G, respectively.

U is a three way valve plug within the shell or case of the valve U, provided with a stem U passing through the bearing U in the valve shell. In the valve case are orifices communicating with the tubes U and U and also an orifice U", to the external air. \Vhen the valve plug is turned to the position shown in Fig. 17, communication is opened from the suction chamber Q, through the pipes Q U, to the pipe U and thence through the pipes F, G to the suction nozzles F, and G. When the valve plug is turned into the position shown in Fig.16 communication between the pipes U U is closed, and the outlet U, is opened to the pipe U thereby relieving the vacuum in the nozzles F and G.

U is an arm on the end of the valve stem U connected by a rod U with one end of a lever U which is fulcrumed as at U, to a bracket U and is rocked by a cam V on the cam shaft V. On the end of the lever U maybe carried an anti-friction roller U.

U is a spring to normally draw the opera tive end of the lever U upward. It is shown connected with the end of the arm U. By these devices the suction in the nozzles F and Gr, is alternately created and relieved.

I shall now refer particularly to the pneumatic devices which I prefer to employ for the purpose of rocking the nozzles F, and G. It is to be understood, however, that these pneumatic devices may be omitted and other driving connections may be substituted. These devices are shown particularly in Figs. 6, 13 and 24 and the two devices which rock, one the nozzle F and the other the nozzle G, are alike, each as the other in construction and operation except that the parts are right and left handed to better adapt them to their positions on opposite sides of the machine.

R and S are cylinders respectively carried by the side members of the sheet holder, as by the ears R, S, and are provided with pistons R S having piston rods R S which are connected with the nozzles F and G as to the ears F G thereon. The rear closed ends of the cylinders R and S, are provided with orifices B 3*, respectively, which are connected by pipes B S with the source of suction in a manner similar to the pipes F G B 0 are curved shoe pieces arranged at the rear of the holding devices for supporting the flexible tubes F, R and G S respectively at the points where they are bent over the holder to prevent the pipes from closing at the ends.

T is a T piece connecting the pipes R 8, with the three way valve T.

T is a branch pipe connecting the three way valve T, with the pipe Q which leads to the suction chamber Q.

The construction and mode of operation of the valve T are identical with the construction and mode of operation of the similar valve U, and therefore need not be referred to in detail.

T is the-arm carried by the stem of the valve plug of the valve T, and connected by the connection T with the lever T the free end of which is operated by a cam V, on the shaft V. The lever T is fulcrumed as at T to a bracket T. The cam V which operates the valve T and controls the rocking of the nozzles F and G, operates in advance of the cam V which controls the valve U.

T is an anti-friction roller in the end of the lever T R and S, are springs located within the cylinders R and S, behind the pistons R, S, therein, and having a tension sullicient to normally move the pistons forward. This forward movement of the pistons is limited by stops B S within the cylinder. (See dotted lines in Fig. 6.) When the valve T is turned to open communication between the pipes T T, a partial vacuum is created in the cylinders It and S,behind the pistons and the pressure of the external atmosphere upon the pistons forces them inward and compresses the springs. The nozzles F and G, are thus moved into contact with a sheet on the sheet holder in the manner described. WVhen the valve is turned to close the connection between the pipes T and T and to open the pipe T to the outlet to external air, the air rushes into the cylinder in the rear of the pistons and the springs then push the pistons forward, thus moving the nozzles F and G forward. No stops are necessary to limit the inward movement of the pistons, as that movement is limited by the contact of the nozzles with the sheets in the holder.

The driving mechanisnu-I shall now do scribe the driving mechanism, which I prefer to employ for the purpose of driving the various operative parts of the machine, referring more particularly to Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 19 to 22. In addition to the simple driving of the machine it is my object to provide the driving mechanism with features of adjustment whereby the interval between successive sheets may be adjusted so that the sheets maybe fed at a greater or less distance apart or may be caused to overlap, or a uniform intervening distance or overlapping extent may be maintained when the size of the sheets is changed.

It is apparent that the separating devices cannot be operated to separate a sheet from the pack until the withdrawing devices have completely withdrawn the previously separated sheet from the holding devices, and as an interval of time iseonsumed by the separating devices in separating the sheet from the pack while the withdrawing devices are still actingupon the previously withdrawn sheet, there will be of necessity a substantial space between the adjacent ends of successive sheets, as they are delivered by the withdrawing devices. It is usually desirable that this intervening space should be as short as possible.

In cases where it is desired to feed a uniform number of sheets per minute without regard to length of the sheets, as in printing presses and folding machines, the features of I suit the longest sheets that would be used in the machine so that there will be the shortest intervening space between the longest sheets. The cam' shaft which controls. the operations of the'separating devices has under this condition of feeding, a speed of revolution equalto that of the number of sheets to be delivered per minute, and the speed of the withdrawing rollers is so timedthat the said rollers will completely withdraw the longest sheet during the time of one revolution of the cam shaft. Consequently no adjustment of speeds will be required when the machine is used with shorter sheets. The only difference will be that with theshorter sheets the space between successive sheets will be greater.

' In machines in which the sheetsare to be fed with their edges overlapping or very close together, as in ruling machines or where the same space is required between short sheets that is required between long ones, or where witha machine employing sheetsof a constant length it is desired for any cause to change the intervening space between successive sheets, or the extent of overlapping, it becomes necessary to make certain adjustments in the driving devices. There may be several methods of adjustment for producing these results but I prefer to employ that which I haveshown. Itis evident that when feeding sheets ofthe same-length without change in the relation of the rear end of one sheet to the forward end of the next a definite number of sheets will always-be fed in corresponding intervals of time. If the length of sheet should be changed without achange'being made in the relation of the ends of successive sheets or if the relation of the ends of the sheets should be changed, while the length of the sheets remains the same, or if both the length of the sheets and the relation of the ends of the successive sheets should be simultaneously changed without these changes being the same in degree but 'opposite in effect, a change will also be required in the number of sheets supplied per minute. Any adj ustment which will properly vary the rate in which the sheetsare supplied will serve the desired purpose. Thus the separating'and withdrawing devices may have positive drivin g connection adj usted, as previously stated, so that there shall be the shortest space between the longest sheet, and these devices may have their speed adjusted as to the speed of the conveying apron; or the conveying apron and withdrawingdevices may have positive driving connections, adjusted with the speed of the withdrawing devices the greatest that will be required for any style of feeding, and the speed of the separating devices only may be adjustedlneither of these instances the withdrawing devices would have an unnecessary speed when feedin g short sheets. It is evident that the speed of the separating device alonedetermines the rapidity of the feeding of the sheets. When, therefore, the separating devices have been adj ustedto supply sheets with the proper rapidity for any desired feeding, the withdrawing devices must be adjusted so as to remove the sheets and place them upon the conveyer without any unnecessary speed in these devices. at any time. In the adjustment that I have adopted, I contrive to withdraw the sheets in the slowest and gentlest manner possible, whatever their length may be, or the manner in which they are fed as to the relation to the adjacent ends of successive sheets. 1

Since there must always be a. certain space between the ends of adjacent sheets as they are delivered from the withdrawing devices, as previously stated, it follows that whenever it is desired to close or diminish that space or to cause the ends of the sheets to overlap, it is necessary that the feed rollers shall run fast enough to push the sheets faster than they are carried upon the conveyer so that the sheet between the feed rollers will overtake or overlap the previous sheet on the carriers.

In adjusting the speeds of the separating and withdrawing devices with the change in the length of sheets, I first so adjust the speed of the cam shaft which operates theseparating devices relatively to the speed of the withdrawing devices that the shortest inter-- vening space will be maintained between successive sheets whether they are long or short, and then I change the speed of the withdrawing and separating devices taken together relatively to the conveyer, sov that they will operate slower with long sheets and faster.

with short sheets. Thus the feeding of long sheets to the apron is retarded, while the feeding of short sheets is accelerated, and a constant distance between or extent of overlapping of the sheets is maintained, Whether .tively to the conveyerand I so connect the devices with the mechanism for driving the cam shaft that any change made in the speed of the feed rolls will correspondingly change the speed of the cam shaft, as any change.

in the spacing or overlapping of the sheets upon the conveyer would, for-the proper opera tion of the apparatus,-require a change in the speed with which the sheets are supplied.

I shall now describe particularly my improvements in the driving mechanism.

' V is the cam shaft upon which are secured the cams V and V for operating the sepaw rator blades H and 1 in the manner heretofore described, and also the cams V and V for operating the suction controlling valves roo' T and U. The shaft V is journaled in suitable bearings V. On the end of the shaft V, is a friction disk V, which is provided preferably with a rubber tire or friction surface V having a portion cut away as at V V is a projection carried by the disk V projecting from its surface radially toward but not up to the periphery or tire V This projection V may be made integral with the disk V, or may be carried by a plate V secured to the face of the disk.

V is a collar carried on the hub of one of the bearings 11, and free to slide longitudinally thereon, being held thereto by a key or spline V This collar V is located imme diately in the rear of the disk V and is pressed into contact with the rear face of the disk by a spring V arranged between the collar V, and a shoulder V, on the hub.

V is a friction pad carried by the outer face of the collar V and V is a similar friction pad carried by the opposed face of the disk V The revolution of the shaft is stopped by the friction between these two pads V and V", when they are pressed into contact.

V is a friction roller carried upon a radical stud or projection V on the collar V and adapted, as the disk V rotates, to run in contact with its inner face. Upon this inner face of the disk V, is a depression or recess V adapted at a certain portion of the revolution of the disk V, to receive the friction roller V. The friction roller V, is so arranged that when it is running upon the face of the disk V it will push the collar V away from the disk V, so as to separate the friction pads V and V", and permit the shaft V to rotate freely until that portion of the revolution of the shaft is reached which bringsthe depression V adjacent to the roller V when the roller and the collar are permitted to move forward under the action of the spring V thereby pressing the friction pads V andV", in contact'and arresting the shaft V.

V is an arm carried by the collar V, and projecting outwardly across the face of the disk V and having upon its end an angular toe piece V projecting across the periphery of the disk.

W is the power shaft to which power may be applied in any suitable manner, as from the machine to which the feeding apparatus is applied. This shaft W is journaled do the lower portion of the machine in suitable bearings W, in the side frames A.

W is a cone mounted on the shaft V, and rotating with it.

X is a shaft below the cam shaft V, journaled in suitable bearings X, located in guideways or slides in the plates X and carried by the side frames A.

X, are adjusting screws carried by caps X and bearing upon the bearings X, by means of which the shaft X may be adjusted to and from the shaft V.

X is a cone mounted on the shaft X, and

rotating with it. The cones X and W are oppositely arranged on their respective shafts X and \V.

\V is a driving belt passing around the cones X and W by means of which the cone X and its shaft X, is driven from the cone W and shaft W. By shifting the belt laterally upon the cones, it is apparent that the speed of the shaft X, with reference to the speed of the shaft W, may be increased or diminished.

X is a friction disk fast upon the shaft X, and making frictional contact with the periphery of the friction disk V, on the shaft V, for the purpose of driving the disk V, and its shaft V. The disk X like the disk V, may be provided with a tire X ,of rubberor other suitable frictional material.

The peripheries of the disks V and X, may be roughened to increase the frictional contact. By the adjustment of the shaft X, through the adjusting screws X, the pressure of the periphery of the disk X, upon that of the disk V may be regulated.

X is a small cone pulley carried by the disk X.

X is an oppositely arranged cone mounted loosely on a stud X carried by the side of one of the frames A, as by a stud plate X.

X is a belt passing about the cones X and X by means of which the latter cone is driven by the former. It is apparent that by the adjustment of the belt X, on the cones X X the speed of the latter cone with reference to the former may be regulated. The cones X X are preferably corrugated as shown so that a small round belt X", may be employed.

X is a disk carried by the cone X, and provided with a projection X extending from its periphery, which is notched as at X, adjacent to and immediately in front of the projection X. The disk X is located iinmediately adjacent to the disk V, and the projection X, thereof is adapted to strike the projection V of the disk V The outer end of the projection V is curved so as to conform to the periphery of the disk X against which it rests when the shaft V is at rest. The disk X is also provided with :1. lug or projection X on its inner face, which is adapted to strike the end V of the piece V.

I shall now describe the operation of these parts. The shaft X is driven by the power shaft W, through the cones \V X, and the belt X is constantly rotating. The disks X, X are, therefore, in constant motion, the latter being driven from the shaft X, by the cones X X and the belt X". The disk V and shaft V, are driven only when the pe ripheries of the disks V and X are in contact, so that whenever the cutaway portion V, of the disk V is adjacent to the periphery of the disk 'X, the peripheries of the disks are not in contact and the disk V and its shaft V are not driven. At this instant the projection V is adjacent to the periphery of the ICC 

